Professor of Theatre, Middle Tennessee State University
Halladay, a former Tennessee Teacher of the Year, does a tremendous amount of community work, especially in K-12 schools where she coordinates programs using MTSU students to lead educational sessions for local students. She directs youth productions for MTSU Theatre has also led several theatre performance tours to international destinations such as Honduras, Ireland, and Russia.
DR. ADA HAYNES
A.Haynes
TTU Professor of Sociology & Co-Director Center for Assessment and Improvement of Learning
Dr. Haynes received her Ph.D. from Florida State University in sociology. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding teaching and use of active learning strategies. She is also co-principal investigator for three National Science Foundation Grants to refine and disseminate the Critical thinking Assessment Test (CAT). Haynes has given numerous presentations and workshops across the country, as well as, co-authored numerous articles on assessing critical thinking.
LORI KISSINGER
Instructor Communication Studies & Organizational Communication Programs, Middle Tennessee State University
Kissinger teaches Fundamentals of Communication and Communication in Communities (with a special focus on non-profit organizations and grant writing). She routinely brings noted professional non-profit managers into her classroom and incorporates experiential learning strategies to involve students in community organizations. She is the founder and director of VSA Arts Tennessee, a program based at the Kennedy Center to provide arts programs for special needs youth.
DR. PAMELA KNOX
Pam Knox
Associate Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Tennessee Board of Regents
Pamela L. Knox is Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents. As the Associate Vice Chancellor, her system-wide responsibilities include assisting in the approval of new academic programs and leadership of initiatives in research, graduate education and internationalization. Prior to joining the Board of Regents, she was at Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Idaho State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Kansas, and Penn State University.
Dr. Knox received her Ph.D. in Psychology (Counseling Psychology) in 1984 from Virginia Commonwealth University after completing her internship at The University of Texas–Austin. She has published 25 articles and book chapters presenting nationally and internationally on 80 occasions. She is a tenured Professor at Tennessee State University and a Licensed Psychologist (Health Services Provider) in Tennessee.
ROBERT LIPPINCOTT
R Lippincott
Senior Vice President of Education / Public Broadcasting Service
Mr. Lippincott is responsible for the development and implementation of effective public media educational services for PBS, local public television stations, students, teachers and parents. His tasks include strategic and operational planning, securing new financial resources and leveraging new technologies to expand PBS’ education services.
Before joining PBS, he served as senior vice president of product development for Discovery Education, the newest division of Discovery Communications, Inc., responsible for the digital video streaming, online and hard copy products developed for the home and school markets.
Throughout his career, he has held a wide variety of leadership positions in schools and businesses building and applying media and communications technology to education. He has been a classroom teacher, a member of the faculty of Harvard University, Graduate School of Education and a pioneer in multimedia and internet design for K-12 audiences.
Mr. Lippincott holds a Bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College in Literature and a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Harvard University.
BECKY MAGURA
BeckyMagura
President & CEO / WCTE: UPPER CUMBERLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION
Becky Magura, President and CEO of WCTE: Upper Cumberland Publice Television has more than 28 years experience in production, educational outreach and management.
She holds a BS degree from Tennessee Tech University and a MA in Education, with an emphasis in Communications. In 2006, Magura became WCTE’s fourth General Manager.
She was the recipient of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth’s Media Award for the work she produced entitled, Robbin Esther’s Secret Box. In addition, this series on child sexual abuse won the NETA best instructional series in 2002 and was nominated for a regional Emmy. The series is in national distribution through NETA and GPN. She has served as the station liaison for numerous award-winning, including a regional Emmy, documentaries and programs.
A successful grant writer, she has received funding for projects from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Tennessee Department of Forestry, Independent Television Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and other local and regional entities.
DR. JUSTIN OELGOETZ
Justin Oelgoetz
Associate Professor, Austin Peay State University
Oelgoetz joined the APSU faculty in 2008 with a B.S. in Chemistry from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from Ohio State University. His current research interests include: the spectroscopy (X-Ray, UV-VIS, IR, Raman, Nuclear Magnetic resonance, etc) and electronic structure of novel materials at the molecular, nano, and bulk scales; the spectroscopy and electronic structure of ions in plasmas and the collisional and radiative processes that connect various states; plasma spectroscopy as an astrophysical diagnostic tool; novel applications of thermodynamics and kinetics; new algorithm development; and Application of the numerical methods used in the above areas to non traditional systems (such as disaster recovery, pre-disaster planning, and public policy).
DR. SALLY PARDUE
Sally Pardue
Director Millard Oakley STEM Center, Tennessee Tech University
Sally Pardue is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University. She has been on faculty in the ME Dept since 1999 and has served as the Director of the Millard Oakley STEM Center since June 2009. Her degrees are from TTU where she graduated in 1989, 1991, and 1995 with a BS in mechanical, MS in mechanical, and PhD in engineering.
Following her graduation, she worked for the TTU Manufacturing Center as a research and development engineer. She teaches courses in dynamics, machine design, vibration, dynamic modeling and control, as well as introductory freshmen engineering and honors courses. Her discipline specific research interests include nondestructive evaluation and material characterization using random vibrations for bridge diagnostics and composites. Her educational research interests include multiple intelligences, science misconceptions, longitudinal retention and transfer of learning, and research training.
DR. CYNTHIA RICE-YORK
TTU Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
C.Rice-York
Rice-York has a joint appointment between TTU's Center for Manufacturing Research and the Department of Chemical Engineering. Prior to TTU, she was a staff research engineer at United Technologies Research Center and a post-doctorial researcher at Los Alamos National Lab. She has obtained her PhD degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and BA from SUNY Potsdam. Prof. Rice-York’s research interests are in the areas of fuel cells: including polymer electrolyte, direct methanol, and direct formic acid—spanning multiple power ranges from portable electronics to automotive applications.
Her research interests encompass multiple facets of fuel cells—electrocatalysis, mass transport, performance and durability. Rice-York is the recipient of the 2009 Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from ORAU and currently has NSF EPSCoR funding through TN-SCORE. She has authored several journal papers, holds several patents, and has presented at national and international conferences.
DR. PAULA MYRICK SHORT
Paula Short
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Tennessee Board of Regents
Dr. Short has been Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents since 2001. As Chief Academic Officer, she has major system-wide responsibilities including approval of new academic programs and leadership of initiatives in TBR strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, Regents Online Degree Program, student learning, program review, faculty development, research, student affairs, and transfer and articulation. Dr. Short led the development and implementation of the Academic Audit with Dr. William Massy at both the Tennessee Board of Regents and at the University of Missouri System. She is a co-author (with William Massy and Steve Graham) of the book, Academic Quality Work: A Handbook for Improvement.
Dr. Short serves on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation; Tennessee Institute of Public Health; Emerging Technologies Life Sciences Center, a Partnership of Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Vanderbilt University, and the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation; and the National Advisory Council, American Student Association of Community Colleges. In 2009, she was recipient of the Paul A. Elsner International Excellence in Leadership Award. She also received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration.
She received her Ph.D. in Administration in the Department of Organizational Development and Institutional Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1983. A nationally recognized scholar and researcher in the field of administration, Dr. Short was chosen as the recipient of the 1993 Jack A. Culbertson Award for research contributions to the field of administration; has published over 95 scholarly articles and 14 books, book chapters, monographs, and technical reports; and received over $2.4 million in funded grants. Short has been president of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration, the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration, and the University Council for Educational Administration.
DR. NATHANAEL (NAT) SMITH
Nat Smith
Assistant Professor / Deptartment of Physics & Astronomy / Middle Tennessee State University
Nat Smith moved to MTSU at the start of the Fall 2008 semester after completing post-doctoral research at Vanderbilt University in the Rosenthal group. His research at MTSU is focused on quantum-dot sensitized solar cells, with a particular emphasis on the fabrication of quantum-dot thin films via electrophoretic deposition. Currently, he is exploring the effects of different solvents on the deposition process.
SANDRA WELCH
Program Officer/ National Science Foundation
Sandra Welch is currently a Program Officer at the National Science Foundation in the Education Human Resources Directorate/Division of Research on Learning where she manages the media portfolio in the Informal Science Education Program (ISE). The ISE program funds projects including Radio/TV programs, science center/museum exhibits, youth, community, and citizen science programs. Prior to working at NSF, she was Executive Vice President, Learning Services at PBS and Chief Operating Officer of Kentucky Educational Television.
Welch has served on the boards of Cable in the Classroom, the U.S. Distance Learning Association, and Literacy Volunteers of America, the Oklahoma State University Telecommunications Center Advisory Board among others. She currently serves on the Board of Learning Matters, Inc.
Ms. Welch earned a BA in Elementary Education and an MS in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. She received continuing education from the Harvard Business School, and an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Robert Morris College.
Professor of Theatre, Middle Tennessee State University
Halladay, a former Tennessee Teacher of the Year, does a tremendous amount of community work, especially in K-12 schools where she coordinates programs using MTSU students to lead educational sessions for local students. She directs youth productions for MTSU Theatre has also led several theatre performance tours to international destinations such as Honduras, Ireland, and Russia.
DR. ADA HAYNES
TTU Professor of Sociology & Co-Director Center for Assessment and Improvement of Learning
Dr. Haynes received her Ph.D. from Florida State University in sociology. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding teaching and use of active learning strategies. She is also co-principal investigator for three National Science Foundation Grants to refine and disseminate the Critical thinking Assessment Test (CAT). Haynes has given numerous presentations and workshops across the country, as well as, co-authored numerous articles on assessing critical thinking.
LORI KISSINGER
Instructor Communication Studies & Organizational Communication Programs, Middle Tennessee State University
Kissinger teaches Fundamentals of Communication and Communication in Communities (with a special focus on non-profit organizations and grant writing). She routinely brings noted professional non-profit managers into her classroom and incorporates experiential learning strategies to involve students in community organizations. She is the founder and director of VSA Arts Tennessee, a program based at the Kennedy Center to provide arts programs for special needs youth.
DR. PAMELA KNOX
Associate Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Tennessee Board of Regents
Pamela L. Knox is Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents. As the Associate Vice Chancellor, her system-wide responsibilities include assisting in the approval of new academic programs and leadership of initiatives in research, graduate education and internationalization. Prior to joining the Board of Regents, she was at Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Idaho State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Kansas, and Penn State University.
Dr. Knox received her Ph.D. in Psychology (Counseling Psychology) in 1984 from Virginia Commonwealth University after completing her internship at The University of Texas–Austin. She has published 25 articles and book chapters presenting nationally and internationally on 80 occasions. She is a tenured Professor at Tennessee State University and a Licensed Psychologist (Health Services Provider) in Tennessee.
ROBERT LIPPINCOTT
Senior Vice President of Education / Public Broadcasting Service
Mr. Lippincott is responsible for the development and implementation of effective public media educational services for PBS, local public television stations, students, teachers and parents. His tasks include strategic and operational planning, securing new financial resources and leveraging new technologies to expand PBS’ education services.
Before joining PBS, he served as senior vice president of product development for Discovery Education, the newest division of Discovery Communications, Inc., responsible for the digital video streaming, online and hard copy products developed for the home and school markets.
Throughout his career, he has held a wide variety of leadership positions in schools and businesses building and applying media and communications technology to education. He has been a classroom teacher, a member of the faculty of Harvard University, Graduate School of Education and a pioneer in multimedia and internet design for K-12 audiences.
Mr. Lippincott holds a Bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College in Literature and a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Harvard University.
BECKY MAGURA
President & CEO / WCTE: UPPER CUMBERLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION
Becky Magura, President and CEO of WCTE: Upper Cumberland Publice Television has more than 28 years experience in production, educational outreach and management.
She holds a BS degree from Tennessee Tech University and a MA in Education, with an emphasis in Communications. In 2006, Magura became WCTE’s fourth General Manager.
She was the recipient of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth’s Media Award for the work she produced entitled, Robbin Esther’s Secret Box. In addition, this series on child sexual abuse won the NETA best instructional series in 2002 and was nominated for a regional Emmy. The series is in national distribution through NETA and GPN. She has served as the station liaison for numerous award-winning, including a regional Emmy, documentaries and programs.
A successful grant writer, she has received funding for projects from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Tennessee Department of Forestry, Independent Television Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and other local and regional entities.
DR. JUSTIN OELGOETZ
Associate Professor, Austin Peay State University
Oelgoetz joined the APSU faculty in 2008 with a B.S. in Chemistry from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from Ohio State University. His current research interests include: the spectroscopy (X-Ray, UV-VIS, IR, Raman, Nuclear Magnetic resonance, etc) and electronic structure of novel materials at the molecular, nano, and bulk scales; the spectroscopy and electronic structure of ions in plasmas and the collisional and radiative processes that connect various states; plasma spectroscopy as an astrophysical diagnostic tool; novel applications of thermodynamics and kinetics; new algorithm development; and Application of the numerical methods used in the above areas to non traditional systems (such as disaster recovery, pre-disaster planning, and public policy).
DR. SALLY PARDUE
Director Millard Oakley STEM Center, Tennessee Tech University
Sally Pardue is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University. She has been on faculty in the ME Dept since 1999 and has served as the Director of the Millard Oakley STEM Center since June 2009. Her degrees are from TTU where she graduated in 1989, 1991, and 1995 with a BS in mechanical, MS in mechanical, and PhD in engineering.
Following her graduation, she worked for the TTU Manufacturing Center as a research and development engineer. She teaches courses in dynamics, machine design, vibration, dynamic modeling and control, as well as introductory freshmen engineering and honors courses. Her discipline specific research interests include nondestructive evaluation and material characterization using random vibrations for bridge diagnostics and composites. Her educational research interests include multiple intelligences, science misconceptions, longitudinal retention and transfer of learning, and research training.
DR. CYNTHIA RICE-YORK
TTU Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
Rice-York has a joint appointment between TTU's Center for Manufacturing Research and the Department of Chemical Engineering. Prior to TTU, she was a staff research engineer at United Technologies Research Center and a post-doctorial researcher at Los Alamos National Lab. She has obtained her PhD degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and BA from SUNY Potsdam. Prof. Rice-York’s research interests are in the areas of fuel cells: including polymer electrolyte, direct methanol, and direct formic acid—spanning multiple power ranges from portable electronics to automotive applications.
Her research interests encompass multiple facets of fuel cells—electrocatalysis, mass transport, performance and durability. Rice-York is the recipient of the 2009 Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from ORAU and currently has NSF EPSCoR funding through TN-SCORE. She has authored several journal papers, holds several patents, and has presented at national and international conferences.
DR. PAULA MYRICK SHORT
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Tennessee Board of Regents
Dr. Short has been Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents since 2001. As Chief Academic Officer, she has major system-wide responsibilities including approval of new academic programs and leadership of initiatives in TBR strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, Regents Online Degree Program, student learning, program review, faculty development, research, student affairs, and transfer and articulation. Dr. Short led the development and implementation of the Academic Audit with Dr. William Massy at both the Tennessee Board of Regents and at the University of Missouri System. She is a co-author (with William Massy and Steve Graham) of the book, Academic Quality Work: A Handbook for Improvement.
Dr. Short serves on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation; Tennessee Institute of Public Health; Emerging Technologies Life Sciences Center, a Partnership of Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Vanderbilt University, and the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation; and the National Advisory Council, American Student Association of Community Colleges. In 2009, she was recipient of the Paul A. Elsner International Excellence in Leadership Award. She also received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration.
She received her Ph.D. in Administration in the Department of Organizational Development and Institutional Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1983. A nationally recognized scholar and researcher in the field of administration, Dr. Short was chosen as the recipient of the 1993 Jack A. Culbertson Award for research contributions to the field of administration; has published over 95 scholarly articles and 14 books, book chapters, monographs, and technical reports; and received over $2.4 million in funded grants. Short has been president of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration, the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration, and the University Council for Educational Administration.
DR. NATHANAEL (NAT) SMITH
Assistant Professor / Deptartment of Physics & Astronomy / Middle Tennessee State University
Nat Smith moved to MTSU at the start of the Fall 2008 semester after completing post-doctoral research at Vanderbilt University in the Rosenthal group. His research at MTSU is focused on quantum-dot sensitized solar cells, with a particular emphasis on the fabrication of quantum-dot thin films via electrophoretic deposition. Currently, he is exploring the effects of different solvents on the deposition process.
SANDRA WELCH
Program Officer / National Science Foundation
Sandra Welch is currently a Program Officer at the National Science Foundation in the Education Human Resources Directorate/Division of Research on Learning where she manages the media portfolio in the Informal Science Education Program (ISE). The ISE program funds projects including Radio/TV programs, science center/museum exhibits, youth, community, and citizen science programs. Prior to working at NSF, she was Executive Vice President, Learning Services at PBS and Chief Operating Officer of Kentucky Educational Television.
Welch has served on the boards of Cable in the Classroom, the U.S. Distance Learning Association, and Literacy Volunteers of America, the Oklahoma State University Telecommunications Center Advisory Board among others. She currently serves on the Board of Learning Matters, Inc.
Ms. Welch earned a BA in Elementary Education and an MS in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. She received continuing education from the Harvard Business School, and an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Robert Morris College.